AU Family A publication for families of Aurora University undergraduate students
Dear Friends, We are nearing the time of year when the mercury spikes . . . just as school doors open again. At Aurora University, we have lots of COOL places for students to gather and to escape hot and muggy weather. Each fall, as we welcome a new class of freshmen and transfer students on our campuses, I think about offering pithy advice — words of counsel that will add value to the initial experiences of another group of AU undergrads. I think of my own first week on a university campus and remember all kinds of rookie mistakes that I would surely avoid were I to start again. For example, I learned (not) to put too much ketchup and mustard on a hot dog when dining with the Dean of Students. I will leave the rest of the story to your imagination. Suffice it to say that it is always a good idea to go light on the condiments when eating across from someone important.
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Ask for help. Everyone on the AU campus is here for one reason. We care about students and are committed to helping you succeed. Just ask. Tell the truth. If you aren’t fully prepared for class and a professor calls on you, take a deep breath and tell the truth in a respectful way. Likewise, if you make a mistake, just take responsibility. Things always work out better if you tell the truth. Each morning, as I leave my driveway and head toward campus, I recognize what an amazing privilege we have at Aurora University. I thank you for entrusting the next phase of your son or daughter’s growth to us. We will do our best!
As much as I would like to be profound, maybe simple is better in this particular instance. So this is what I plan to say when I have a chance to talk to your sons and daughters soon:
Rebecca L. Sherrick, PhD President
Do the reading and attend class. College courses move at a much faster pace than the ones in high school. Don’t get behind.
Welcome Center nears completion Set to open later this fall, the Hill Welcome Center and Schingoethe Center of Aurora University together provide a new front door for the main campus. The combined building houses a recital hall, gallery spaces, and gathering rooms for meals and conversation.
New campus food pantry addresses hunger issue for students As a psychology major, senior Hannah Gunnell feels strongly about helping others. So it wasn’t surprising when she sponsored a food drive in her neighborhood this summer. The unexpected part was how the collection would benefit Libby’s Place, a new campus food pantry created to address food insecurity among AU students. The food pantry is the result of the first Student Homeless Initiative meeting held last year, in which food insecurity among college students was addressed. Following the meeting, students in the Leadership Education And Development (LEAD) program as well as faculty and staff began work on developing the food pantry. The idea drew immediate support from President Rebecca Sherrick. The pantry is named in honor of Dr. Sherrick’s mother, who recently passed away. “When I first heard about the idea for a campus food pantry, I wasn’t sure if my peers would take on the cause,” said Gunnell. “I was pleasantly surprised when more than 20 students helped.”
may take up to 15 items per week, no questions asked. Donations to the pantry can be made at collection sites throughout campus. Students are also seeking donations from businesses and organizations as well as organizing food drives to help stock the pantry. Kris Johnson, Director of Student Leadership, cites the university’s core values, especially citizenship and integrity, for inspiring students to care for one another. “It is essentially out of those strong moral principles that feeding those who are hungry becomes our duty and obligation that does not stop on a college campus,” she said. “Libby’s Place will seek to transform not only those seeking food, but also those working to end hunger, by providing an inclusive community that works together.” AU joins a small but growing number of campuses providing food pantries. Approximately 40 colleges and universities are part of the national College and University Food Bank Alliance, with most being larger institutions.
The food pantry is located in the Wackerlin Center for Faith and Action, and will be staffed by student volunteers two days a week. Students
Campus jobs offer great ways to gain experience Working on campus helps students manage their time and earn extra money. Campus jobs also allow students to prioritize their academic success, so there is typically flexibility in hours, especially around finals. It’s easy to apply for an on-campus job: 1. Sign up on College Central Network at collegecentral.com/aurora. The student uses his/her full Student ID Number to start the process. 2. Once registered, complete the Application for Student Employment on the right-hand side of the home page. Save and then upload under “Manage My Resume.” 3. Go to “Find Jobs Posted to My School.” Check “Location,” then select “On Campus.” 4. Use the uploaded application to apply. Supervisors will contact the student if they would like to arrange an interview.
About campus employment » Although some departments require student workers to be Federal Work Study (FWS) eligible, students who do not qualify for FWS are also able to find employment on campus. » The number of positions is limited, but jobs are posted throughout the year as they become available. » Students may work up to 15 hours per week during the school year. On average, most students work between 9 and 12 hours per week. » Students are paid by check or with a direct deposit to their bank account. Money cannot automatically go towards tuition; however, a student may choose to sign over her/his paycheck and make a payment on a student account For more information, contact Career Services at career@aurora.edu or 630-844-5403.
Staying active and connected at AU As fall semester approaches, freshmen will attend Welcome Weekend festivities, studentathletes will arrive on campus for practices and resident assistants will begin their training. When all students are on campus, a variety of activities and programs will be offered to ensure everyone has the opportunity to get involved and become more familiar with the campus. The hub for campus life opportunities is the Office of Student Activities, located adjacent to the student commons area known as the Spartan Spot. Students are encouraged to visit the office to get updates on upcoming free events and learn about clubs. They can also log in to SpartanNet, an online platform connecting students to organizations and campus happenings. The Office of Student Activities will also distribute a wall calendar the first week of school that features daily campus events. For resident students, the Office of Residence Life hosts floor meetings on move-in day. The meetings help introduce students to their neighbors and the hall staff.
Other areas on campus offer students opportunities to gather. Phillips Library welcomes students to meet in group study spaces on the first floor. The Wackerlin Center for Faith and Action sponsors events throughout the year to engage students in service and the sharing of ideas and perspectives. In September, the center will begin hosting its “On Giants’ Shoulders” program, where staff and faculty members share stories about people who have inspired them in their own lives and work. Other areas on campus for students to gather include The Spartan Hideway café, the Dunham Atrium, residence hall lobbies, Student Dining Hall and the terrace surrounding the Spartan Statue. Students should also sign up in the Office of Student Activities for free Chicagoland trips sponsored by the Activities Programming Board.
Providing a safe campus environment Student safety is one of the highest priorities at Aurora University. The university has incorporated several measures to maintain a safe, secure and supportive place for learning. Campus Public Safety AU employs its own uniformed police officers and dispatchers. CPS is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Classroom Security All classrooms and labs have a deadbolt lock installed in entry doors. Evacuation maps are also in each room on campus. These maps include the floor plan on which the room is located; the name and address of the building; emergency exits for the building; and safety zones in the case of severe weather. Code Blue Emergency Phone System Ten emergency call boxes are located on campus. Calls go directly to Campus Public Safety Dispatch.
Emergency Text Messaging AU has an emergency text messaging system in the event of canceling classes or closing offices due to inclement weather or a critical situation on campus. Students are automatically enrolled. Family members can subscribe to receive these messages at aurora.edu/alerts. Residence Life Staff Every residence hall has a director residing in the building, acting as resources for residents. Additionally, each residence hall floor has a resident assistant, a trained student staff member who works under the direct supervision of the residence hall director. Safety Escort Under any condition, Campus Public Safety will escort students 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call on-campus extension 6140 or 630-844-6144. For more safety information, visit aurora.edu/campus-safety.
Campus Connections CONTACTS
SPECIAL UPCOMING DATES
Campus Public Safety 630-844-6140 | cpsafety@aurora.edu Office of Financial Aid 630-844-6190 | finaid@aurora.edu Office of Student Accounts 630-844-5470 | student.accts@aurora.edu Office of Student Life 630-844-5467 | studentlife@aurora.edu
August 31 | Fall Semester Classes Begin October 3 | Lecture: Author David McCullough* October 23–25 | Fall Weekend (no classes) November 6–7 and 11–14 | Fall Play: “Machinal”* November 25–29 | Thanksgiving Holiday (no classes) *To register for these free Celebrating Arts and Ideas events, visit auartsandideas.com.
Stay on top of the latest AU news and events: /aurorauniversity
Get instant news and athletic updates: @aurorau and @au_spartans
View photos featuring the latest campus happenings: @aurorauniversity
Follow: Lora de Lacey, Vice President for Student Life @LoradeLacey Sammy Spartan (AU mascot) @AUSammySpartan
Read daily news from the AU community: news.aurora.edu
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AU Family
A publication for families of Aurora University
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